wait tables?

you didn't know about taxes??? sheesh.

try asking for a raise? tell them that you can't make ends meet and you'd rather put in extra hours or whatever and make more at your current job than devote time to another. they might understand.

(of course this is contingent upon the fact that you actually can't make ends meet. if you just can't afford the weekly detailing for your audi, then it might not work so well)

If you're single with no other income, you'll probably get a bit of a refund at the end of the year as well - you can change your W4 (think that's the one you fill out when you start) so that you get more money back with each paycheck, but be careful - you don't want to end up owing (I would only change it from 0 to 1 probably). Talk to the HR person or whoever does the payroll and have them explain it. Won't be that much difference, but it could help...

thanks for the input guys. i am nervous about adjusting my tax allowances. i am more interested in finding an "odd" second job. i have always had an interest in alternatives to what i do regularly. in college i always took classes outside of architecture school. i kinda want to continue that. it hard to find work in the evening from 7 to 11pm. i dont have any experience in waiting.

1-800-bar-tend
1-800-BAR-tend
1-800-bar-TEND

i always kinda wanted to be a bartender on the side -- one night you might make more than in an entire week in architecture -- and in LA you don't have to worry about smoke -- unless you smoke -- and then, well, sorry.

I need a gardener for my house. You could be my mid-nite gardener...wear a loin cloth and such...carry my hose.

Just kidding.

You could wait tables, though don't burn yourself out, archtiecture is demanding enough. LA is full of job offers right now. You might consider "firm hopping for dollars". I did the exact same thing myself once. I learned it is always better to ask for too much then to be underpaid and starve.

hey pomotrash, thats the hours i am looking for and i am a skilled weeder....

i so freaking confused and nervous about not having enough money to get by.

trader joes, trader joes, trader joes

sheetrock, first off, welcome to LA
second off, get used to not having enough money to get by. All said and done LA is expensive, and even 60K per year will not be enough to get by.

That said, if you want to look for a second job, the best bet is to look for freelance work here and there, that you could do at night at home. Bar tending is also high-paying but you might burn yourself out so much that your work will suffer a lot, and Im sure you dont want that to happen.

Look on craigslist and ask your friends if their offices have any extra work, like 3d's and as-builts to farm out.

I disagree that 60k isn't enough to get by in LA. I make 42k, and feel pretty damned rich. Maybe that's because I haven't changed my standard of living a whole heck of a lot since I graduated.

That said, mention to your boss the fact that you're strapped for cash and that if there's any overtime available, you'd really appreciate it being tossed your way. In the meantime, try to economize. If you found your apartment at www.rent.com, you're paying to much.

hey rationalist, i wish i was making 42k after taxes, that will be great.
i recently graduated and over estimated my spending to what i will eventually bring home.

makin' it happen in LA on 36k. it's doable.

I know people who do it for 34k, but they are pretty limited in their scope "pay-to-play" social events.

That said, MOCA is free 1 night a week, as is LACMA. The Getty is always free, and the Hammer may have a free night too.
Spaceland and the Silverlake Lounge (the best places to hear live indie music in LA) are free on Mondays, and the Smell is only 5 bucks.

The beach is free, the mountains are free, the desert is free, the parks are free, the art openings are free, the library is free, and if you can put up with being a consumer tool you can even see free movies (before they are released).

Also, depending on where you live and work you CAN get by without a car. I have several friends who take the train or bus to work, and one who rides a bike (all are architects or artists).

Also, the LA Forum for Art and Architecture will let you into their lectures for free if you agree to help serve drinks or clean up. SCI-Arc, UCLA, and USC lectures are free.

So if you are worried your "on-the-skids" lifestyle will be without substance, the above should give you pause.

Best of luck!

sheetrock- that's before taxes. I'm at around 33k after taxes, and doing fine. I'm even starting a Roth IRA to save for grad school.

Easiest way to save money? find a roomate. I know soooo many people who think they need two bedroom apartments to themselves, and when you're entry level you just can't do that shit.

i would rather buckle down and buck up than take a second job. i think it goes without saying that there are plenty of people in LA who make it on practically nothing. if i have to bust my ass to eat steak i'm gonna relax and eat ramen instead.

I always heard stripping was a good way to make money on the weekends.

kidding.

I'd pick up freelance 3d modeling or see if a local comm college needs an autocadd instructor on the weekends. I have friends here who do that and make an extra $400-$500 a weekend.

hey john, i am looking for these types of gigs but i can't find any yet. do you mind asking your friends for some contact info.

i clip coupons, keep them in a blue organizer that i drag everywhere. if there isn't a coupon for it, i don't get it.

try to pitch your own sitcom about a disfunctional yet lovable architectural firm to the producers in Holywood.

target has great clothes, actually

costco is the thinking man's sam's club

and second that re: coupons

i ate a lot of hot dogs and mac/cheese when i lived in chicago

i have the 3 stone weight gain to prove it

the extra money is for my bills..not for play. i forgot to mention this critical info to this quest.